Video Content
This box contains video content. In order to view the video you require Flash Player Version 9 or above.
Download Flash Player here
A Guernsey deputy is backing a campaign led by one of Britain's favourite authors for the right to die with dignity.
Writer Terry Pratchett who has Alzheimer's is calling for the UK government to set up a panel with the power to decide whether terminally ill people can choose to end their lives.
St Peter Port South Deputy Barry Brehaut supported an attempt to introduce voluntary euthanasia in Guernsey five years ago. He still agrees with the idea but Health and Social Services says it's got no plans to ask politicians to discuss the matter again. Deputy Brehaut believes it's all about people being allowed to choose the manner of their deaths.
What do you think? Do you agree with Deputy Brehaut that the law should be changed in favour of assisted suicide? Or do you think that life, whatever the quality, should be protected? How do you believe the States should address this very controversial issue?
We'd love to hear your thoughts. Post them below.
Posted By: Alex Spak (London, Stroud Green) on 09-Feb-2010
Should the law be changed in favour of assisted suicide? The answer is an unequivocal NO! One of the effects of legalisation of assisted suicide is that those who have found themselves in a position of looking after their terminally ill relatives, will see assisting in a suicide as a potential option in difficult circumstances.
Plus, failure to prosecute those who assist their relatives to commit suicide will increase anxieties for elderly and disabled people, and therefore, erode trust in the actions and motivations of medical staff.
It goes without saying that the law which does not allow assistance in a suicide exists to protect the most vulnerable people in our society and the fundamental role of the Prosecutors is to make sure that it is enforced in full, whatever current fashionable political interventions demand. Failure to uphold the law creates moral and social chaos and brings irreparable consequences for the most vulnerable.
Posted By: John Tayleur Alderney on 03-Feb-2010
I'm all for it, given proper safeguards.
With people living longer, diseases of old age - often involving prolonged suffering or dementia - are becoming more common.
Those faced with this should have the right to end their lives with dignity.
Posted By: mrs m haines st saviours guernsey on 03-Feb-2010
i think assisted suicide should be made law i recently became a widow and my beloved husband had cancer but didn't suffer long i feel for those poor families where there relative lingers in pain for so long loosing someone is devastating memories of them suffering is even worse so please make this law soon
Posted By: John Booth ( Vale) on 03-Feb-2010
I believe you should have the choice for assisted suicide,too many people suffer for long periods and more often than not they need permanent care and can be in great pain.
If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness you should be allowed to end your life in dignity.
Posted By: Karen. St Peter Port on 02-Feb-2010
I am 100% in favour of assisted suicide. I would not want to be in pain that was unbearable or be incapable of maintaining a degree of dignity and purpose in my life. It is a personal choice but that choice should be available.
Posted By: Patricia St Peter Port on 02-Feb-2010
There has been enormous media bias on this subject. It is so easy to put forward, what appears to be, a sympathetic justification without due deliberation as to the morality of such.
It is opening the door to "mercy killing" and,once condoned, will lead to acceptance and abuse.
However one might try to justify the action, the object, ultimately, must be selfishness.
If one was entirely honest, to contemplate, at first, assisted suicide of a loved one, one's conscience would confirm an element of self judgement - however uncomfortable such a conclusion might be.
Posted By: Jenny - St Helier on 02-Feb-2010
If you have a very sick animal with no prospects you could actually be prosicuted/jailed for cruelty if you do not have it put down. !!
If some one has previously expressed a wish (known to Doctors, Family etc) that should they request help in very difficult situations, then they should be helped.
.jpg)
02/02/2010
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Twitter
Comment on this article